Daily Republican., 1887-07-20
Our Virginia Letter.
Correspondence CO OF the Repu b loan.

LEwIsBURG. W. Va, July IS AT the
hour OF breakfast this morning there
rang out upon the air six rapid, heavy
reports OF FIRE arms, causing us to fear
lest another tragedy was icing acted,
similar to that which has forced US
from cur homes "a witnesses at this
court. Main etreec was soon filled with
terrified men, women and child rem,
anxious to know II q murder had been
oom mitted under the very shad ow Of
the temple Of justice. Five minutes
later we are met by Edgar p. Rucker, q
young lawyer, coming rapidly down
the street On being asked who was
shot he told MS he had shot Bedford O.
Beirne, son OF the postm aster, and WAS
on bis way to the Mayors ofiice to sur.
render himself.
1t appears that the two met ON Main
street, near DR.. Austin's, and quarrel
ensuing, they resorted to that deadly
weapon, the pistol, Rucker ceming out
OF the ARRAY without . scratch, while
Beirne was less fortunate, one bullet
shattering his left arm near the wrist;
another entered his arm while In the
act Of firing, ploughing under the skin
about two inches, and entering his
breast between the hrst rib and the col.
lar bone, penetrating the lung. The
surgeon pronounces the wound to be
very serious. and Rucker Is committed
to jail. Beirne has wife and three
children. Rucker is unmarried.
About 600 feet away aad almost 81.
multaneous with the firing, the fathers
Of these men were engaged In . quar-
rel, which resulted in w. P Rucker
knocking down Andrew Beirue.
The citizens are very much difturbed
over the affair. Bsirne. the won nded
man, is nephew Of the Richmond edi
TOT, Beirne. who fought du 81 with and
wounded Elain. another Of his frazer
nifty
July 19-To day the examination OF
witnesses was finished in the trial Ct j
Speed Thompson, and the arguments OF
counsel commepced. The prisoner
counsel were Colonsls Davis, Preston
Dennis, st Clair aud French and Gen
eral John e Kenna, q. q. Senator from
this State. These men berated tho wit
nesses for the prosecution roundly, call
ing them liars, wolves and hyenas
bunting for the blood of the innocen,
and good.
Mr.. Arbuckls, for the prosecution
presented the case to the jury in q fail
and mastery manrer, and Colonel
Blair, OF Virginia, closed on behalf oi
the State,
Since the days OF David Paul Brown
clearer or more forcib!e arguments
never fell from lawyers lips At timst
psthe tic, often sarcastic, always full oi
chas;e language, this great man wor
fer hinnself on this occasion not only
the admiration of friends, but also the
praise Of opponents. He addressed the
Jury till late hour In the afterr DON
aud just ut supper t!me q verdict
OF not guilty was rendered.
A movement was then made which
was not at first understood. Speed
Thompson was re-arrested, and held tc
bail In the sum Of 81 600 to answer on
liz dictment for shooting Elbsrt Fowler
with intent to kill
Thus has ended the frst act In O
drama which has shook Sunni
County a. with an earthquake. Whal
next will occur none can tell. As II
now stands Elbert Fowler, the beloved
sleeps his last sleep, while his late an
taRonist. walks the earth free man.
The weather 10 simply scorchlng; th'
Thermometer So In the shade; the sk!ei
see m brass and the earth iron. II rsir
does not soon come our corn crop II
again doomed, as 1t was last season.
w. B w.